SNN July 2018

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AJ Pouoa loves to push her clients out of their comfort zone so they can achieve things beyond their expectations. 8 I enjoy helping people to do things that are out of their comfort zone or things they were not confident in doing before, just to show them that it is possible to exercise no matter what your situation is. Seeing that change in my clients is hugely rewarding, and to see them excel even further than they expected, even better. What was it like to start your own company, were you nervous? Were there any particular barriers that you had to overcome to achieve this? The only barrier was questioning myself and my abilities. Do I have what it takes? Who’s going to hire me? Is my wheelchair going to be an issue? It was a case of, should I… or shouldn’t I? Self-doubt started to set in. I thought to myself; “Are we ever ready to do things that are out of our comfort zone?” Then I thought back to my mindset when I was playing sport. I was never ready to captain a footy team, but I did for two years and gained huge respect from my team. I felt I wasn’t ready to jump in the ring to fight, but I did and won. This time the question was am I ready to start my own business? No? Well I’m going to do it anyway. We can’t spend our lives doubting ourselves and our abilities. I have no idea where this business venture is going to go but I’m going to work my butt off to make sure people know that I am here to help them. What advice do you offer to people with an SCI who are at the start of their rehab? Do not be discouraged or doubt yourself. Get to know your new body and try your best every time you have physio. You have a long road of recovery ahead and it’s going to be tough but persevere. Fight, fight to be strong, fight to be able and fight for your future. Even when you feel the chips are stacked against you, go all in every time. You may fail at times… but what if you succeed? Be persistent, consistent and stay positive. There is truth to the saying “Every cloud has a silver lining”. What advice do you offer to people who are looking to get into work and are nervous and unsure about what they can achieve because they are a wheelchair user? Don’t let self-doubt stop you from going for what you want in life. You may be nervous and unsure about getting back into the workforce and I know how it feels to be insecure about being in a wheelchair. I went through the same thing when I was deciding whether I could be a Personal Trainer. Can I do it? Will I be able to do everything that is required of me? I don’t want to let anybody down. All these questions went through my head and in the end, I decided to just go for it. If it works, sweet. If it doesn’t, change the plan and try again. The only thing that will stop you from succeeding is you. You are the master of your destiny and once you realise that, everything that you doubted about yourself will fade. Your insecurities about being in a wheelchair, your doubts about being able to do the job will all disappear. You just got to go for it, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. “The support systems that are in place to help you in this process are amazing. Don’t forget to access them, that’s what they are there for.” What is next for you? The support systems that are in place to help you in this process are amazing. Don’t forget to access them, that’s what they are there for. I don’t think I would have been as organised or as confident if it wasn’t for their support. My next goal is to start New Zealand’s first Wheelchair Rugby League team. I love this game, so it’s a way for me to continue playing the sport that I love and give wheelchair athletes of any injury level another sport to participate in and give athletes aspirations to play on the world stage. I am also looking at studying to become a qualified CrossFit trainer. What are three simple exercises that wheelchair users can do at home to improve their fitness? 1. Go for a wheel: Get outside and tackle those footpaths, hills and all. A good 10-15min wheel will get the blood pumping and work those arms out. 2. Shoulder press: Grab a couple of cans of baked beans and use them as weights. With a can in each hand, hold them on your shoulders. Lifting one can at a time, raise your can above your head extending your arm as straight as you can, alternating arms. Three sets of 10-15 reps. 3. Lateral raises: Using your baked beans cans again, hold can in each hand and start by dropping your arms by your sides. Then raise both arms up to shoulder height, keeping your arms as straight as you can. Pull your shoulders back and pull your shoulder blades together, it helps keep you balanced. Three sets of 10-15 reps.
KALEIDOSCOPE By Noretta Boland, Kaleidoscope Vocational Consultant with the NZ Spinal Trust. Kaleidoscope initially met with AJ upon her arrival at the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit following her transfer from Middlemore Hospital in 2016 and we continued to have weekly meetings throughout her inpatient stay. AJ had been heavily involved in a variety of sports - and had always been very committed to completing her own personal training sessions two times a day, five or six days a week, and she would then play a number of games at the weekends. AJ had made enquiries about enrolling on a Personal Trainer (PT) course facilitated by Fit College NZ a couple of months prior to her accident and that she was due to have commenced a course several weeks after her accident. Becoming a PT had always been AJ’s career goal so the plan was to support AJ to continue to make that goal a reality! Following her discharge from the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit, Kaleidoscope kept in regular contact and would meet with her at her home to provide support around the actions that were required to enrol for a Personal Trainer Course with Fit College NZ and to assist with co-ordinating the practical work experience component of that course (with an Adaptive Trainer). With AJ’s focus and determination to achieve her goal there was never going to be any other outcome than success!!! AJ, to the best of my knowledge, is the first person with a SCI to become a qualified PT… so she is a trial-blazer for others who may wish to pursue their dream. After gaining her qualification and becoming a Registered Personal Trainer, AJ then turned her focus on securing employment, and following a conversation between Kaleidoscope and Parafed Auckland, AJ began working as an Adaptive Trainer - providing fitness and strengthening programmes that she modifies to meet the individual’s abilities. AJ has also started working with groups of young people in a gym setting and is looking forward to gaining further skills so that she can manage a gym in the future. Kaleidoscope has had the privilege of working with AJ following her SCI, and she has proven to be an inspiration to all those people that she has met since that time. KALEIDOSCOPE Kaleidoscope, a programme of the New Zealand Spinal Trust is a notfor-profit organisation,. It’s guiding principles are: • Everyone can have a great job • It’s healthy to be working • The sooner the better • There are thousands of work opportunities • Personal networks are the key • The process for getting a job is the same as before your injury • You can do it yourself – Whatever it takes! • Your life experiences give you unique qualifications For more on the Kaleidoscope programme visit; nzspinaltrust.org.nz QUALITY RENTAL VEHICLES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES • FREEDOM • INDEPENDENCE • MODIFIED CARS • HAND CONTROLS • FAMILY OUTINGS • APPOINTMENTS 0800 864 2529 www.freedommobility.co.nz 9
Page 1 and 2: AJ POUOA We meet one of New Zealand
Page 3 and 4: EDITORIAL GET BACK TO THE REAL WORL
Page 5 and 6: 5
Page 7: AJ Pouoa is making a big difference
Page 11 and 12: IMPROVING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF SPIN
Page 13 and 14: “Now I can drive more safely usin
Page 15 and 16: We sometimes take the knowledge we
Page 17 and 18: JOURNALS / MAGAZINES Forward: life
Page 19 and 20: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS with John Miller L
Page 21 and 22: THE BAIL BULLETIN HAPPY MIDYEAR GRE
Page 23 and 24: TIPS FROM YOU • Wear a beanie •
Page 25 and 26: “It was not just lying in bed ‘
Page 27 and 28: Stand with Confidence www.euromedic
Page 29 and 30: house to make it an accessible home
Page 31 and 32: Stand Without Compromise For more i

SNN July 2018

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